Side: The Swiss got a miracle goal with just seconds left on the clock that took this game against France from a must-win to one in which they are not even in desperate need of a draw. The substitutions were the difference in their match against Ecuador as Haris Seferović scored the winning goal and Admir Mehmedi was a huge part of why the Swiss looked much more dangerous late in the match. Switzerland used it’s defenders well in attack as the outside backs were constantly getting up the field to pressure the Ecuadorian defense. However, defensively they were often stretched and the normally compact Swiss allowed multiple goals to what should have been a lesser side. Also, goalkeeper Diego Benaglio had trouble with set pieces and looked on edge every time Ecuador sent in a cross. Expect them to drop back into their shell against France and make scoring much more difficult than it was for Ecuador.
The French were spectacular in their opening match of the 2014 World Cup. However, they were playing a Honduras side that thought they were part of an MMA fight rather than a soccer match. Patrice Evra, Mathieu Debuchy, and Mathieu Valbuena completely dominated the midfield and delivered service after service in to Kareem Benzema that eventually netted three French goals. Against the Swiss, they will have to be much more creative when they enter the final third. Honduras was all over the place defensively and the prominent French attack just played the ball to the empty spaces. When they find themselves in attacking areas against Switzerland it’s going to take much sharper combination play to break them down. Scoring will not be easy in this match, and they will need Benzema to pick up right back where he left off against Honduras. Easier said than done though.
Total: After the first group of matches the goals have been flying in, due to this the books have raised their totals dramatically. Switzerland vs. France is an excellent example of this. When France come up against strong opponents they rarely play games where both teams score, and Switzerland almost never play games over three goals. The Swiss will go right back into their defense-first formation and will attempt to make it very difficult for the French to break them down. As for France, they’ll want to create chances, but after seeing the way Switzerland were able to exploit the wings against Ecuador they’ll likely be a little more careful when sending wide players forward. One team will likely be shutout, and despite the strength of the French offense, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if this one ends in a scoreless draw.Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-115)
The French were spectacular in their opening match of the 2014 World Cup. However, they were playing a Honduras side that thought they were part of an MMA fight rather than a soccer match. Patrice Evra, Mathieu Debuchy, and Mathieu Valbuena completely dominated the midfield and delivered service after service in to Kareem Benzema that eventually netted three French goals. Against the Swiss, they will have to be much more creative when they enter the final third. Honduras was all over the place defensively and the prominent French attack just played the ball to the empty spaces. When they find themselves in attacking areas against Switzerland it’s going to take much sharper combination play to break them down. Scoring will not be easy in this match, and they will need Benzema to pick up right back where he left off against Honduras. Easier said than done though.
Total: After the first group of matches the goals have been flying in, due to this the books have raised their totals dramatically. Switzerland vs. France is an excellent example of this. When France come up against strong opponents they rarely play games where both teams score, and Switzerland almost never play games over three goals. The Swiss will go right back into their defense-first formation and will attempt to make it very difficult for the French to break them down. As for France, they’ll want to create chances, but after seeing the way Switzerland were able to exploit the wings against Ecuador they’ll likely be a little more careful when sending wide players forward. One team will likely be shutout, and despite the strength of the French offense, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if this one ends in a scoreless draw.Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-115)
posted from Bloggeroid
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